2018 NBA Draft Lottery Grades

Suns: Deandre Ayton, C, Arizona- the Suns saw the hole in their team and grabbed the franchise big man that they needed in Deandre Ayton. Ayton is the piece they need but I don’t know how he will handle the NBA because he struggled in college when facing top tier talent. If he can man up and be a consistent force he will have a great career and help turn the Suns around with Devin Booker.

Grade: A-

Kings: Marvin Bagley III, PF, Duke- I think Bagley was the top prospect in the draft he has height, he can shoot, and he can handle the basketball. His one downfall is he defense but when he is paired with Willie Cauley- Stein that is a solid towers at big-men. Paired with De’Aaron Fox and Buddy Hield is a nice young group that could maybe start an upswing.

Grade: A

Mavs: Luka Doncic, G, Real Madrid/ Slovenia- many considered Doncic to be the top prospect in the draft, not watching much of his game I will save myself the bad take of saying he is going to be the next Kobe or LeBron or Jordan. He appears to be a solid player that can handle the ball, shoot but lacks defense and seems out of shape. I think him matched with Dennis Smith Jr. will be a nice pair at guards and maybe he can be the next great European player for the Mavs.

Grade: A

Grizzlies: Jaren Jackson Jr, PF, Michigan State- How does Michigan State do this every year they have a PF that doesn’t make much buzz in College but somehow gets drafted and doesn’t do anything in the NBA i.e. Deyonta Davis and Brandon Dawson. Looking more into him he is one of the youngest players drafted, he is a modern three and D player and he has the physical tools. Jackson next to Gasol should make for a nice duo.

Grade: A

Hawks: Trae Young, G, Oklahoma- By now everyone has heard the Steph Curry comparisons, and lately there have been Jimmer Fredette comparisons because he can shoot but not defend, but last time I checked Steph is the same way but no one is saying that. The hawks need a lot more pieces if they want to turn the team around but Young is a step in the right direction. Look for the hawks to move Dennis Schroder soon and hopefully get a wing or big to join Young.

Grade: A-

Magic: Mohamed Bamba, C, Texas- Bamba joins a packed big man roster with already having Bismack Biyombo, Arron Gordon, Jonathan Isaac, and Nikola Vucevic. This means the Magic will be trading 1 or 2 of these guys to get some guard help to round out there team; Bamba has maybe the most upside of any player just because of his physical attributes.

Grade: B+

Bulls: Wendell Carter Jr, C, Duke- This seems to be one of the first picks that makes some sense, Carter and Lauri Markkanen will be a great frontcourt, especially on offence where both of them and stretch out and shoot the three. The Bulls will be able to spread the floor and make teams defend them. They might struggle on defense when other teams force the ball inside and out muscle and are able to push over both of these big men.

Grade: B+

Cavs: Collin Sexton, PG, Alabama- Possibly the most exciting player to watch last year. A Player that can create his own shot, defend and my favorite trash talk, this pick will work if LeBron is on the team or not next year. If LeBron is on the team the Cavs will have another player that teams will have to guard and not be able to double LeBron or Love. If LeBron isn’t on the team Sexton becomes your primary scorer and will be used a lot with Love in the pick and roll game. Either way Sexton is my Pick for Rookie of the year.

Grade: A-

Knicks: Kevin Knox, F, Kentucky- Finally a Kentucky guy taken, us Kentucky fans are not use to waiting that long. I think the Knicks made a great pick with Knox, he can get his own shot, Play the 2, 3, or 4 position, and can light it up when hot (Just watch his West Virginia game). Once Porzingis gets back I think the Knicks will have a nice young team and are 1 piece away from being a really good team.

Grade: A

Suns: Mikal Bridges, F, Villanova- the Philadelphia kid almost got to join the 76’ers before being traded to the Suns. He is a solid wing player but being a junior in college the Suns could have gotten someone a little younger with more upside. Also the Suns had to give up a 2021 1st round pick to move up which tells me they are thinking they are close to done with the rebuild and are confident that will be a low pick.

Grade: C+

Clippers: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, G, Kentucky- Shai is a great player and a very smart, hardworking player. He doesn’t have the flash that the other guards in the draft have but he is consistent and you know what you’re getting with him. I see him being a Mike Conley type PG, not a star but a good player.

Grade: A

Hornets: Miles Bridges, F, Michigan State- Bridges is a hard one to judge when it comes to his NBA future; I think he will be a consistent player and have a decent career. I see him being an Andre Iguodala type player. I think he will do okay for the Hornets but they will need to get another piece or 2 with the trade of Dwight Howard and the unclear future of Kemba Walker.

Grade: B-

Clippers: Jerome Robinson, G, Boston College- Who?, Why?, yeah I am with you on this one, after they just draft Shai why wouldn’t you get a wing or big. This guy is a decent shooter but that is it. Maybe Jerry West knows something we don’t know and he will turn out to be a great player but I don’t see it.

Grade: C-

Nuggets: Michael Porter Jr, F, Missouri- Once considered the #1 player in high school and projected #1 pick I think the Nuggets got a steal of a pick. Yes he injured his back and we only saw 3 games of him but if he is able to come back and be the player he was, he will be a star. He has the Size, offense and defense. Him and Jamal Murray will be a nice wing group and add in Nikola Jokic and that’s a nice looking team that should return to the playoffs